2. False. In fact, in 1989 Tim Berners-Lee put out the first written proposal of the World Wide Web.

3. False. While not yet a common sight, 1989 was the year the first pocket-sized cell phone was introduced — at an average cost upward of $3000!

4. False. Although there have been many updates and innovations to his original, you can thank Thomas Jefferson for this invention. It has been reported that he drafted the United Stated Declaration of Independence from the chair in 1776.

5. True. And this was a substantial increase from only 5 years earlier when it was only approximately 8%.

Ergo know how

Posted on: 9.29.16

When it comes to employee well being and productivity, comfort is crucial. Sitting on office chairs for 8 or more hours a day can take its toll, so ergonomic office chairs are important. The scientific principles of ergonomics can help prevent impaired blood circulation, sore and weakened muscles — even the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. And by ensuring that your office chairs have these five adjustable ergonomic features, you can help improve the comfort and productivity of your team members, no matter how long their day is.

Lumbar Support

Adjustable lumbar supports the lower back — helping to relieve pressure, prevent slouching and avoid back pain and body fatigue.

Seat Height

When adjusted to the user's ideal height, office chairs let employees sit with their feet on the floor, their knees comfortably bent and their back fully supported.

Seat Depth

Proper seat depth adjustment can improve circulation while optimizing support — both from the employee's legs and from the chair back.

Seat Tilt

By adjusting seat tilt, employees can more evenly distribute their body weight for greater long-term comfort.

Arm Rests

Adjustable arm rests let employees work with their arms at a 90° angle to their keyboard, helping to prevent neck and shoulder pain, while reducing arm fatigue.

Talk to your distributor about HON seating options for your team!

Personalities at work

Posted on: 3.1.17

A Guide for Helping Workplace Personalities Work Well Together

No two people work in exactly the same way. Sometimes work styles clash, and sometimes they complement. The key to maintaining workplace harmony and productivity can be as simple as understanding what makes different personalities tick.

According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®1, there are 16 personality types made up of four different aspects:

How we participate in the world — Extraversion vs. Introversion

How we process information — Sensing vs. Intuition

How we make decisions — Thinking vs. Feeling

How we structure our world — Judging vs. Perceiving

Let's take a look at some of the typical pros and cons of different personality traits.

EXTRAVERSION

Pro: Works well in large group settings

Con: Tends to act before thinking things through

INTROVERSION

Pro: Self-starters who can work well on their own

Con: Might overlook the need to seek outside input and opinions

SENSING

Pro: Looks at all the facts to see the big picture

Con: Can become TOO focused on facts to consider other input

INTUITION

Pro: Approaches problems from multiple angles before solving them

Con: Can become too overwhelmed by the possibilities to reach a solution

Mindfulness: Three Ways to Reduce Stress and Boost Productivity

Posted on: 5.31.17

Mindfulness is more than meditation — it can be a huge benefit in the workplace. Whether it’s something you practice on your own or encourage your entire office to do, studies have shown that mindfulness at work does a business good by increasing productivity, improving relationships and reducing turnover. Here are three exercises to get you started:

De-Stress with Mindful Breathing2,3

Sit upright in a stable, comfortable position and close your eyes while you focus on all of the physical sensations of your breathing — the temperature of air as it enters your nose, how it feels when the air hits your lips as you exhale. Visualize your breath moving through your entire body. Try to focus like this for 10 breaths, and don’t be discouraged or frustrated when your mind wanders. Just gently bring your focus back to your breathing until you have completed the exercise.

Less Multi-Tasking, More Uni-Tasking4,5

Multi-tasking is an unfortunate reality for many workers. And it seems the more we have to do, the less we get done — because even when we try to get one task out of the way, we’re thinking about all the others. So give this a try: decide on a set amount of uni-tasking time for each thing on your to-do list. 15 minutes to read through emails. 30 minutes to respond to voicemail. 45 minutes to tackle a particular project. You may not complete each task in the allotted time, but you will have given it your complete focus and accomplished much more than if you’d been stressing about everything at once.

Need to Focus? Observe, Accept, Adjust1,6,7

As human beings, and not robots, we are flooded with thoughts and feelings as we react to the events, interactions and needs of the day. The best way to keep it all from clouding your focus is to practice awareness. Instead of fighting your feelings or being overwhelmed by your thoughts, acknowledge them — and deal with them:

• Observe Your Thoughts: take a step back to identify what you're actually feeling, and why

• Accept Your Feelings: you aren’t wrong to feel as you do, but you may need to shelve your emotions for the moment and deal with them when the work is done

• Adjust Your Mindset: ask yourself, “What is my mental state?” — just being aware can help you shift your thinking and help you more effectively manage whatever's on your plate next

Do You Have a Cue? Take the Body Language Test.

Posted on: 6.14.17

How tuned in are you to the cues others are sending with their body language? What kind of signals are you giving off with yours? Understanding body language can help office communication go more smoothly. Below are 7 common signals — let’s see how well you understand them.

Why Sit-To-Stand Desk Options are on the Rise

Posted on: 4.19.17

When you combine commute time, deskwork and relaxing at home, Americans can easily spend 9 or more hours sitting each day. Back pain is a common complaint for people who sit at a desk most of their workday, but studies have shown that standing-height desks can significantly reduce chronic back pain:

For those who want the benefits of a standing desk, but don’t want to commit to standing all day, a sit-to-stand desk can be the perfect, flexible solution.

“Sit-to-stand desks and tables easily allow users to reduce sitting time and increase movement without decreasing productivity — a benefit to both employer and employee,” says Lauren Gant, PhD, CPE — Human Factors and Ergonomics Manager, HNI. “Additionally, research has supported that users of sit-to-stand workspaces report improved job satisfaction, feelings of job control and comfort.”

As more offices continue to incorporate sit-to-stand workspaces into the workplace, however, it is important to educate users on how to use and benefit from a sit-to-stand solution.

Dr. Bradley Bark of Bark Chiropractic and Rehab Clinic recommends alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day.

“With a sit-to-stand ratio of 3-to-1 during the afternoon hours, I find that I’m not experiencing the stress in my back and shoulders that I used to,” says Bark. “I also feel like I have more energy than before I had a sit-to-stand workspace.” If you find yourself becoming fatigued, slouching, or assuming awkward postures during your workday, it may be an indication that it is time for you to switch positions.

LEGAL

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25168375

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26735316

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23057991

Get a Mini Workout at Work

Posted on: 5.3.17

Getting in a bit of cardio at work can be easy — walk over for face-to-face conversations instead of picking up the phone, take the stairs, walk to lunch instead of ordering in. Strength training, though, is another story. If the thought of doing push-ups, wall squats and planks in front of your coworkers makes you uncomfortable, give seated isometrics a try. Isometric exercises focus on the sustained contraction of specific muscle groups. While seated isometrics are unlikely to sculpt rockhard muscle, they can help maintain muscle tone. Here are three to try:

Abs1

1. Sit up straight in a sturdy chair with your feet firmly planted on the floor.

2. Imagine you’re preparing for a hit to the stomach and contract your abdominal muscles.

Reality check: none of these suggestions are a replacement for regular cardiovascular exercise and strength-training. But on days when getting to the gym just isn’t an option, it’s nice to have a back-up option that can do your body a little bit of good.

LEGAL

www.healthyliving.azcentral.com/sitting-isometric-exercises-4636.html

www.thebalance.com/isometric-exercises-you-can-do-at-yourdesk-1201144

What’s your office style?

Posted on: 9.20.17

Will you go urban chic or rock a cozy vibe? Are you ultra traditional or utterly lacking in office style sense? Take this quiz to find your office style and get tips for making it work your workspace.

What's Your Ideal Color Palette?

1. Dark blues and grays

2. Lots of green! Maybe a bit of orange or gold

3. Shades of aqua and sandy neutrals

4. Cool grays mixed with bold yellows

5. Beige is good

What Kind of Wood Do You Prefer?

1. Rich, red mahogany

2. Warm, golden oak

3. Cool, light ash

4. Deep walnut brown

5. Whatever's available

Now, What About Artwork & Decor?

1. Classic landscape & still life paintings

2. Nature scenes and funky found objects

3. Who needs art when there are windows?

4. Whoever the hottest local artist is

5. Maybe some motivational posters?

Mostly 1s — Traditional
Nothing wrong with going the ultra-professional route; just don't let it get boring — especially if you wan to attract younger clients or staff. Try adding a pop of bold, unexpected color.

Mostly 2s — Down to Earth
What a homey, inviting space you've envisioned! Welcoming and comfortable is great, but be careful the space doesn't get cluttered. Opt for smart organization and clearly defined spaces.

Mostly 3s — Tranquil
How zen of you! Creating a relaxing office environment is a smart idea. Add some high-tech touches — they'll blend in well and help promote a professional edge.

Mostly 4s — Über Hip
Sounds like the cool place to work! The energy your office look generates is sure to keep people motivated. Be careful of going overboard; it could alienate some potential clients.

Mostly 5s — Nonexistant
Unless your office is still in your garage, this is not okay. Having a cohesive office style shows professionalism, implies longevity and says you care about making an impression on clients.

HON® Ignition® 2.0 — Evolving for Today's Office

Posted on: 7.26.17

For years, office chairs were designed to support an "ideal" sitting position. Well, the way offices and people work has changed — and so has the way they sit. Today's offices are more fluid. More active. They need a chair designed to move with it. And thanks to designer Wolfgang Deisig, they've got it.

In designing the original Ignition in 2008, Deisig's goal was to create a chair that would comfortably fit every person in an office — no matter their size. Not one to rest on his laurels, he dedicated 18 months to evolving Ignition to keep pace with today's workspace. The result is a flexible, more responsive and more customizable chair that provides comfortable, all-day support in any position. Ignition 2.0. See how Ignition has evolved for comfort, support and style.

Adjustable Lumbar
for customized back support

Synchro-Tilt with Seat Slider
for customized seat depth

Responsive Back
gives passive support for active sitting

ilira®-Stretch Mesh
for soft support in any position

Molded Seat Foam
relieves pressure for long-term comfort

Sleeker Lines
streamlined for an updated silhouette

More Mesh Colors
five colors to create a custom look

Two Frame Options
now available in Titanium and Black

Quick Connect Arms
to complete your new chairs in a snap

Six Fun Chair Facts

Posted on: 8.9.17

Did Abraham Lincoln invent the office chair? Were chairs present at the Last Supper? Most of us have never thought much about the chairs we sit in. As mundane as they may seem, chairs actually have a rich and interesting history. See if you can sort the facts from falsehoods in the Chair Trivia Quiz below.

1. Who was one of the earliest innovators of the office chair?

a. Abraham Lincoln

b. Thomas Edison

c. Charles Darwin

2. True or False:

In early history, chairs were reserved for higher society, while common folk used stools and benches.

Maximize Your Small-Business Budget

Posted on: 8.23.17

Need to do more with less space? Create a stylish first impression with pennies? Many small businesses have even smaller budgets, but with some smart planning and creative thinking, your small business can be set up for big growth.

Map Out Your Budget

You've got the space, now you need to decide how best to use it. Prioritize your budget allocations on the spaces your employees will use most1 — brainstorming areas? conference rooms? Once that's figured out, consider these steps:

1. Overestimate your expenses2. The extra cushion will make it easier when one area or another goes over budget.

2. Get quotes from professionals1. Itemized plans from movers, designers and carpenters can help you better visualize your space and prioritize budget allocations.

3. Decide how much you can DIY1. When the team comes together to paint or move furniture, you can save thousands.

Get Creative

Your office decor is a reflection of who you are as an organization. It's also great place to test your ingenuity without stressing your budget. And as your business and profit margins grow, you can easily update at a later date. Try these ideas to get you started:

1. Say it with color3. White walls can make a statement — but is it the right one for your business? Whether your office personality is traditional, tranquil, bold or hip, the right paint colors will speak volumes.

2. Shop on the cheap4. Discount and secondhand stores, even garage sales can turn up inexpensive, useful and decorative items that help complete your office style.

3. Go for the green4. Fill in spaces with plants to freshen up the space. Just be sure to keep them groomed and watered — dried up plants are a no no!

Invest Where It counts

Finally, understand the impact of quality furniture on your long-term budget. High-quality chairs keep your employees comfortable and productive for years. And desk and workstation systems made for flexibility and modularity will stand up to repeated reconfigurations as your business needs change and grow. Paying a little more now will definitely pay off in the long run.

Office Hoarder: Where Are You on the Scale?

Posted on: 9.25.17

Do you save all your old notepads? Have filing cabinets that are overflowing with folders? Six cups of pens and pencils scattered across your desktop? Find out about your hoarding habits and learn about our storage solutions to help keep the clutter out of sight.

Select one answer for each of the below questions

1. You have at least 5 used notebooks on or in your desk.

a. True

b. False

2. You have several cups of pens/pencils stockpiled on your desk.

a. True

b. False

3. You still have coffee cups on your desk from earlier this week.

a. True

b. False

4. You still have newspapers or magazines from last month.

a. True

b. False

5. You have four or more finished project files laying around, waiting to be filed.

a. True

b. False

6. You can’t physically see 50% or more of the surface of your desk.

a. True

b. False

7. You still have an award on your desk that is more than five years old.

a. True

b. False

8. You have three extra pair of shoes in your filing cabinet.

a. True

b. False

9. You have extra articles of clothing in your filing cabinet.

a. True

b. False

10. You have a few months’ worth of personal snacks on or in your desk drawers.

a. True

b. False

11. You have motivational books that you’ve never read at your workspace.

a. True

b. False

12. You have a growing collection of action figures encroaching on your workspace.

a. True

b. False

13. You have chargers or cords for devices that you can no longer locate or use.

a. True

b. False

14. You have trouble finding something you need at least once a week.

a. True

b. False

15. You tend to keep old documents, just in case you need them later.

a. True

b. False

Answer Key

You checked 10 or more True:

Hoader Tendencies
Everyone has some hoarder tendencies. To curb yours in the office and make your workday more productive, try setting aside 5-10 minutes a day to get rid of the things you don’t need. Throw away anything you haven’t used in awhile and label all of the papers and notes you decide to keep to make filing and finding them easier in the future. Make sure you have adequate storage for personal belongings in your desk drawers or cabinet and file away finished projects for good.

You checked 5-9 True:

Organized Clutter: Your space may be on the messy side, but amongst those stacks of paper, projects and personal touches, you know right where everything is. Make your life even easier by taking 5 minutes a day to put away the things you’re no longer using and organize files into clearly marked folders —you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make in the long run.

You checked 4 or less True:

Neat and Tidy: You’re doing great—keep doing what you’re doing and don’t be afraid to personalize your workspace, just a little bit.

*Check out these easy, affordable storage solutions from HON to keep your workspace clean and organized.

[Brigade® 800 Series 2-Drawer Lateral File H872]

[Brigade 600 Series 5-Drawer Lateral File H695]

[basyx by HON® Manage® L-Workstation with Storage]

[Flagship® Mobile Pedestal H15923R]

Is a Collaborative Workspace Right for You?

Posted on: 10.9.17

Learn about the pros and cons of open office spaces and find out if this type of environment fits your work style.

It’s safe to say that you know collaborative, or open, offices are the latest trend in workspace design. But what’s the deal? Why are they so prevalent?

Although the concept of an open office has been around for a while, it’s gaining popularity as today’s companies and their workspaces are becoming more progressive. The characteristics of an open office usually include minimal interior walls, a benching system and/or cubicles with low walls or panels, fewer private offices, more meeting or huddle rooms and a variety of designated multi-purpose lounge or common areas.1

So what brought on this trend? Several factors, for one, advances in technology mean that everything is smaller and sleeker, allowing for a clean, modern and streamlined office space. As cities and businesses continue to grow, the cost of rent increases as the amount of available square footage decreases—which means maximizing a smaller space is a must to offset the cost of real estate.2

Organizations are also looking for new ways to attract talent—especially the latest generation of employees— one that thrives on collaboration as a result of school experiences that increasingly involve team projects and studying in non-traditional work environments. Modern employees not only want the perfect job, they also want an innovative office space that encourages creativity.3

In theory, this design promotes transparency and fairness: fewer walls and doors make management seem more approachable and encourage a free-flow of information for all employees. In reality, open-plan office layouts may inspire collaboration, but less privacy can also increase distractions and impede productivity. According to a recent New York Times article, noise is often a serious problem in the open-plan office. When conversations carry to employees who are trying to focus, their performance may decline in cognitive tasks such as reading, writing, and other forms of creative work.4

One solution is to divide the workspace into two areas, one for collaboration with an open design and the other for quiet, focused work.5 Introducing private huddle rooms or secluded workspaces in this area gives employees a choice between working together when communication is key and sitting alone when it’s time to buckle down and get to work. Of course this approach isn’t possible in all situations because of space limitations, management styles and other factors, but for many it’s already a reality.

So what should you consider? To recap: open workspaces continue to gain popularity in modern office design, but they don’t always work for every type of business or employee. This kind of workspace may be right for you if your office situation is similar to the ones below.

Find Your Perfect Office Chair

From customized comfort to stylish extras, find out what type of office chair is right for you.

Choose one answer for each question.

1. Where do you prefer to work?

a. At my desk/workstation

b. In a private office

c. In a collaborative/open space

2. What’s your chair style?

a. Modern design and custom options

b. Professional look with classic details

c. Stylish, comfortable and flexible

3. What do you need a chair for?

a. Long hours at my workstation

b. Looking and feeling like an executive

c. Collaborative, multi-purpose seating

4. How much support do you want in a chair?

a. Lumbar support and all the adjustable settings I can get

b. Higher back with a cushioned seat

c. I want it to feel like a lounge chair…or maybe a couch

5. What type of fabric do you like on your chair?

a. Fabric/mesh combination

b. Leather or upholstery

c. Soft fabric for relaxed sitting

6. What about color?

a. I’m all about options

b. Neutral and professional

c. Bright and bold, something that pops

Answer Key

If you answered…

4-6 As: You want a wide range of choices when it comes to your office chair and place high importance on customizable options, adjustability, and comfort. Take a look at task chairs including Convergence® and Ignition® 2.0.

4-6 Bs: Comfort may be king, but you also care about style. You want a chair that is professional, but flexible enough to work across your entire office. Check out executive and conference chairs such as Nucleus®, Ceres® or Park Avenue Collection®.

4-6 Cs: You have a need for bustling hubs and dynamic common areas where comfort and style is a must. Try collaborative seating like Endorse® and Flock®.

4 Ways to Promote Workplace Wellbeing

Posted on: 11.20.17

Make the most of your time in the office with these tips for a happier, healthier, more productive workspace.

During the week, you spend at least eight hours a day at the office—that’s a long time! Read through these pointers and learn four easy ways to help improve the health of your mental and physical wellbeing at work.

1. Ergonomic Chairs & Active Design
Everyone knows that people come in all shapes and sizes—so it’s hard to find seating that’s comfortable for every employee. Ergonomically designed office seating is engineered to work with the human body to provide comfortable support that promotes healthy posture. Height- and width-adjustable arms and back, cushioned seat, lumbar support, customizable options, like tilt control, and smart materials, like mesh, are all important features to look for when choosing a chair.6

While a supportive, comfortable chair can help drastically improve productive wellbeing, repeated long periods of sitting can increase the risk for many health issues including musculoskeletal disorders, heart disease, diabetes and cancer—so encouraging movement throughout the day is critical.7 Active office furniture solutions like sit-to-stand desks and tables allow employees to change their positions throughout the day, moving from a seated setting to standing at the touch of a button. Similarly, treadmill desks encourage employees to engage in physical activity (walking or jogging) while working, brainstorming or having a meeting.

2. Bring The Outside In
A recent study by The World Green Building Council showed that employees who sit near a window are 15% more productive at work than those who sit farther away from natural light. The report also found that close exposure to daylight resulted in better sleep at night and an overall happier demeanor.

Similarly, better air quality can result in an 8–11% increase in productivity and cognitive ability.8 So taking a quick ten-minute walk outside isn’t only great physical exercise, it’s great mental exercise, too.

Studies also show that more interaction with nature decreases stress and enhances emotional wellbeing. Decorating your workplace with plants is also an effective way to reduce airborne toxins and increase productivity. In fact, an 18-month project by Dr. Craig Knight of Exeter University, demonstrated that adding potted plants to an otherwise sparse office environment, increased wellbeing by 47%, increase creativity by 45% and increase productivity by 38%.9 While not all companies have the space or budget to incorporate gardens or nature walls into their office designs, it’s easy to add a few plants or flowers, open windows and integrate patterns, colors and materials into furniture choices to up the nature factor at work.

3. Change Your Perspective
Providing employees with alternative places to work allows them to be more active and move away from their desk for portions of the day so that they can concentrate, collaborate, recharge and focus. Taking time away your desk can help change your perspective. Whether it’s twenty minutes for a mental break or a just a new environment, the physical action of moving from one area to the other increases healthy blood flow and the fresh scenery helps clear your mind so you can get back to work.10 Comfortable, multi-purpose common areas that encourage collaboration are perfect for impromptu meetings and brainstorm sessions, as well as lounge areas for break time and socializing. Whereas private spaces, such as quiet nooks and huddle rooms are ideal for personal breaks, calm reflection, concentrated work and focused tasks. The best of both worlds—a mix of collaborative and private workspaces—helps greatly enhance employee wellbeing and productivity at the office.

4. Take Advantage Of Breaks & Perks
Whether you choose to go to the gym, take a walk or have a relaxed lunch, break time has a similar effect moving from one workspace to another to change your spatial perspective and refocus. Human brains aren’t built for to long periods of extended focus, so by taking a break, you allow yourself to mentally and physically recharge and come back ready to conquer the rest of the workday.11

In addition to standard benefits, many of today’s companies offer wellness perks, such as office gyms or supplemented gym memberships, work from home policies, access to healthy snacks and drinks, classes and planned social events to help promote better work/life balance and employee happiness. Don’t be afraid to seek out and take advantage of these extras—or suggest adding them if your current company doesn’t already offer something similar!

Is Your Desktop Working in Your Favor?

Posted on: 01.08.18

At the office, your desk is your command center—where you put your head down, focus and get to work. So it makes sense that how well it's organized can help set the tone for what you do. Want to be more productive? Check out the following visual and learn how to organize your desk for maximum efficiency.

QUICK TIPS:

Organize with files—keep related papers in folders and only keep folders you’re currently using on your desk.

For ergonomic computer placement, set your monitor at eye level, about an arm’s length away from you.

Set up your phone on your dominant side to avoid reaching across your body.

Avoid distractions—limit the amount of personal items on your worksurface.

Only keep the office supplies that you use daily on your worksurface.

Save an empty space on your dominant side for taking notes and organizing papers.

Get your layout right—here’s how:

If you’re like most modern employees, you spend a lot of time on you computer, so it’s important to make sure you’re comfortable working and typing for an extended period of the workday. Your desktop computer or laptop should rest directly in front of you at eye-level and about an arm’s length away from your body for maximum ergonomic comfort and, in turn, increased productivity.

To make your desktop more efficient, arrange the items you use most frequently, like your office phone and writing supplies, on your dominant side for easy access and to avoid having to reach across your body. On the other hand, the items and supplies you don’t use as often (a couple times a week or less) can be stored off to your non-dominant side or tucked away in your desk drawers.

Maintaining work-life balance can be difficult—especially when it comes to your desk—so try your best not to over-decorate your space. Photos, awards and other collectibles may provide positive feelings during the workday, but too many mementos may crowd your desktop and become a distraction. Instead, embrace the white space. Keep an empty, 8”X11” area on your dominant side as a designated workspace for taking notes, reviewing papers and signing documents.

Finally, make sure to reassess your space weekly. Keeping your desk organized requires frequent upkeep, so be sure to take a Friday-night scan of your workspace to figure out if all of the files, supplies and items you used will still be needed next Monday when you return to the office. If you’ve finished work, file your notes and documents away inside your desk to make room for new and upcoming projects.

4-6 As: It looks like it’s just about time for an office update. Whether you decide to go for a full renovation or a simple redesign, check out HON’s best solutions from customizable workstations to filing cabinets that do more to take your space from fixer-upper to fun and fresh.

4-6 Bs: Your office is contemporary, comfortable and inviting. Your classic aesthetic is sure to stand the test of time—but take a look at HON’s tech-friendly storage and furniture solutions to keep up with your competition along the way.

4-6 Cs: Your workspace is just about as modern as it gets. With a minimalist style that’s digital, flexible and purposefully designed, your office is set for the future. Thinking about expanding your business? Make room for new employees with a sleek, expandable benching system, like Empower.

Ready to refresh your workspace? Check out the latest and greatest office furniture and storage solutions from HON.

How Humor in the Workplace Can Increase Productivity

Posted on: 02.19.18

For years, there has been a certain amount of hesitation surrounding humor in the workplace—even in the most casual office environments. This is because humor is often associated with a lack of dedication or seriousness about work. However, according to a growing body of research, workplace humor is actually proven to positively impact productivity, camaraderie and creativity among employees. The following facts explain how laughter and a light-hearted attitude are actually good for your business.

1. Humor helps boost creative thinking and collaboration.
Did you know that humor has been proven to help develop creative thinking in business settings? A more casual, playful office environment fosters openness and collaboration, which helps reduce the fear of criticism towards unusual or unexpected creative thoughts. Thus, when levity is encouraged in the workplace, employees are more relaxed about speaking up, sharing ideas and giving input.

2. Managers who use humor at work are seen as better leaders.
Leaders who embrace office humor as part of their management style have been proven to promote better overall performance, happiness and cohesion in their teams. Similarly, employees working under such fun-forward managers also reported being happier and more inspired at work—and view their supervisors as great leaders and motivators.

3. For many people, humor is more important than pay.
In a study of more than 2,500 participants, across multiple industries, 55% agreed that they would settle for less pay to have more fun at work. In other words, a majority of employees would literally take a pay cut to work in a more light-hearted, laugh-friendly environment.

4. Workplace humor helps decrease employee turnover.
This one may seem obvious, but studies show that light-hearted, laughter-filled office environments help keep employees happy and engaged at work. Humor in the workplace has been proven to enhance workers’ coping mechanisms and reduce fatigue, stress, burnout and turnover. So you could say: companies that laugh together, stay together.

5. Humor is healthy—laughing can help reduce sick days at work.
According to medical professionals, laughing boosts the number immune cells and antibodies in your immune system, which helps prevent infection. Thus, reducing your chances of getting sick and missing work. Humor also has a positive effect on your cardiovascular system. Laughing helps lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and can even help lower your heart rate to a relaxed, healthy rhythm—looks like laughter really is the best medicine.

6. Joking around does not distract employees from work.
Although many people assume that office humor and other fun, light-hearted activities will only cause distraction—studies show that increased humor in the workplace does not, in fact, diminish employees’ productivity or their ability to complete tasks that require concentration.

Humor is a simple, but effective way to bring people together. Since you spend so much time during the week with co-workers, it’s worth creating a friendly, playful environment that everyone enjoys coming to. Just make sure that if you make a joke to lighten the mood at the office, you do so in a way that’s always respectful and never malicious.

Four Steps to Efficient Filing

Posted on: 03.05.18

Did you know that the average employee wastes up to an hour a day trying to find misplaced items at the office? Save time and make your work life exponentially easier with these four simple tricks of the trade.

1. Paper Purge
To make the organization process go as smoothly as possible, every office refresh should start with a purge. Dedicating half a day to clearing your workspace of anything unnecessary can save you a surprising amount of time in the future. First, figure out the things you want to keep and the things that are safe to toss—de-cluttering your space makes it much easier to arrange the projects and supplies you need to have handy.

2. Color Code
Choose files in several different colors that you can use to separate and prioritize your workflow. For example: Red = Important/Urgent, Orange = Urgent/Less Important, Yellow = Important/Non-Urgent, Green = Non-Important/Non-Urgent. You can also use a larger standard colored file, such as gray or white, to sort all of the prioritized papers for each client or project into its own larger file. Knowing exactly where the documents you need to reference for the deadlines you have to meet will help you save time and complete your work in the most efficient way possible.

3. Label Love
No matter the method you choose, labeling each file is an important step in the organizational process. In addition to color-coding, labeling each file by project/client will ensure that it’s always easy to store, find and organize important work and documents. The act of labeling these files actually enhances your memorization of the order in which each project is stored—making future recall easier each time.

4. Store in Style
Whether your workspace has open storage cases or lateral files with drawers, using stylish storage boxes and containers can help compartmentalize the office supplies and personal items you need to have on hand. Go monochrome, make a statement with bold colors and patterns or keep it classy with black and white details—it’s your workspace, so personalize it with your own special style. When deciding what to store in each box or container, group like items and supplies together and sort them accordingly. Make sure to keep the supplies you use most often close within reach to make everyday tasks seamless and stress-free.

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Eaton Office

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